Podcast Summary: Global News Podcast – Partial Restoration of Phone Services in Iran

Host: Celia Hatton (BBC World Service)
Date: January 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a comprehensive roundup of global headlines, focusing on the partial restoration of phone services in Iran amid widespread anti-government protests and a violent governmental response. Key reports include firsthand accounts from inside Iran, international reactions, and expert analysis of the broader implications. Additional segments cover legal developments relating to Marine Le Pen in France, gut health research, Russia’s winter attacks on Ukraine, the South Korea former president’s insurrection trial, the housing crisis in the Netherlands, and innovations in AI-driven drug discovery.

Main Story: Iran Restores Partial Phone Services Amid Crackdown

The Lifting of the Communications Blackout

• The Iranian government partially restored phone services after a complete communications blackout during mass anti-government protests.
• These protests have triggered violent crackdowns, with reports of thousands of deaths.

Eyewitness Testimony from Iranians Abroad

• [02:27] An Iranian woman in London recounts a "very, very brief call" from a family member in Gorgon, who simply called to say their household was safe and that "everyone's been killed" in their area. When asked if they personally knew victims, they replied, “family members, colleagues, neighbors, like, you know, in every household that’s happening.”

Death Toll and Executions

• [03:10] The UN Human Rights Office, via spokesman Jeremy Lawrence, expresses concern over expedited executions:

  "It is extremely worrying to see public statements by some judicial officials indicating the possibility of the death penalty being used against protesters through expedited judicial proceedings."
  (Jeremy Lawrence, 03:27)

• Human rights groups estimate around 650 people killed before the internet blackout. BBC Persian suggests the real number could be much higher due to unprecedented use of lethal force and inability to confirm casualties during the blackout.

• Hospitals in Iran are reported to be "overwhelmed with young men and women with shotgun wounds," and morgues "piled up with bodies of protesters."
  (Jayar Gol, BBC Persian, 04:01)

Reports of Swift Executions and Repression

• Specific cases like Irfan Sultan, facing imminent execution for protest activities, highlight the regime's intent to "show the iron fist."
  (Jayar Gol, 05:43)

International and Domestic Response

• The regime is described as "losing legitimacy," with even core supporters wavering.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls this the "final days and weeks of the Iranian regime," though BBC's expert warns the government still feels in control.

• "They don't hesitate to shoot if they feel their existence is in danger."
  (Jayar Gol, 06:48)

Voices of Iranian Artists in Exile

• Famed Iranian director Jafar Panahi reflects on scenes of bloodshed:

  "There was bloodshed and I saw bodies on the ground. The state police had gunned down protesters ... it is only for the intention of killing."
  (Jafar Panahi, via translator, 08:26)

• On the risks of returning to Iran:

  "I really don't understand what risk means here when people are out and giving their lives ... Anything I do is not any different."
  (Jafar Panahi, 09:47)

• He emphasizes the commitment of artists to stand with the people and support the "Women Life Freedom" movement.
  (11:35)

Other Major Headlines

French Politics: Marine Le Pen's Appeal

[12:00]

• Marine Le Pen, French far-right leader, is appealing her conviction for misuse of EU funds and a two-year ban from public office.
• Her lawyers plan a less confrontational legal approach, hoping for a reduced sentence to allow her to run for president.
• National Rally, her party, remains the most popular in France, with her deputy Jourdan Bardella prepared as a backup candidate.

• "National Rally ... is now the biggest party in France."
  (Hugh Schofield, Paris, 13:44)

Health: Gut Microbiome and Longevity

[14:53]

• Discussion of increasing scientific focus on the link between gut health and aging, moving beyond influencer trends.

• Anecdotes of the world's oldest people, like a "117-year-old woman in Spain" with a probiotic-rich diet, are contrasted with ongoing skepticism over direct causality.

  "There are senior consultants ... who describe themselves as microbiome evangelists."
  (Hugh Pym, Health Editor, 15:44)

• Personal experience: Hugh Pym, aged over 60, had his gut microbiome analyzed. Result:

  "My gut is equivalent to an Italian man five years older than me who was on the Mediterranean diet."
  (Hugh Pym, 18:56)

Ukraine: Russian Winter Attacks

[21:54]

• Russia escalates attacks with drones and missiles, devastating infrastructure during subzero temperatures.
• Cities such as Kharkiv and Kyiv experience deaths, major power outages, and severe civilian hardship.

  "Russia seems to be targeting Ukraine's critical infrastructure ... the aim is to weaken not just Ukrainian resolve, but actually weaken the power supply."
  (Wyre Davies, Kyiv, 22:09)

South Korea: Insurrection Charges Against Former President

[24:40]

• Former President Yoon Suk-yeol faces possible death penalty for leading troops into parliament in a failed coup.
• Prosecutors demand severe penalties to deter future leaders; actual execution unlikely as Korea hasn't implemented death penalty since 1990s. (Jake Kwon, Seoul, 24:40-26:13)

Netherlands: Tough Tenant Protections Amid Housing Crisis

[26:13]

• The Netherlands faces severe housing shortages and a governmental push for affordable housing laws.

• Authorities crack down on illegal contracts and exploitative landlords, but many tenants fear landlord retribution and lack legal knowledge.

  "They are paying €1500 according to the contract and we're gonna just confirm, but last time we heard that they're paying around 1500. So part of it would be under the table."
  (Sebastian Oscam, Rotterdam, 28:26)

  "We need laws to enforce good landlordship."
  (Chantal Zeichers, Rotterdam vice-mayor, 30:01)

Science & Medicine: AI-Driven Drug Discovery

[30:54]

• Dr. Oliver Vance of Basecamp Research explains their use of AI and the world’s largest genome database to create new medicines.
• Their AI model "Eden" designs therapeutic candidates based on disease prompts and reports an unprecedented “near 100%” first-time effectiveness in lab tests.

  “What we're hoping to do is build AI systems that can understand disease biology sufficiently to design medicines straight into clinic.”
  (Oliver Vance, 31:26)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Everyone's been killed."
  (Iranian woman’s family member, 02:33)

• "It is extremely worrying to see public statements ... the death penalty being used against protesters through expedited judicial proceedings." (Jeremy Lawrence, UN Human Rights, 03:27)

• “Our hospitals are overwhelmed with young men and women with shotgun wounds … morgues piled up with bodies.”
  (Jayar Gol, BBC Persian, 04:01)

• “There was bloodshed and I saw bodies on the ground. The state police had gunned down protesters … it is only for the intention of killing.”
  (Jafar Panahi, 08:26)

• “National Rally ... is now the biggest party in France.”
  (Hugh Schofield, Paris, 13:44)

• “My gut is equivalent to an Italian man five years older than me who was on the Mediterranean diet.”
  (Hugh Pym, 18:56)

• “Russia seems to be targeting Ukraine's critical infrastructure ... the aim is to weaken not just Ukrainian resolve, but actually weaken the power supply.”
  (Wyre Davies, Kyiv, 22:09)

• “They are paying €1500 ... so part of it would be under the table.”
  (Sebastian Oscam, 28:26)

• “What we're hoping to do is build AI systems that can understand disease biology sufficiently to design medicines straight into clinic.”
  (Oliver Vance, 31:26)

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Iran: Phone services & crackdowns – 01:48–12:00
• France: Marine Le Pen appeal – 12:00–14:53
• Health: Gut microbiome & aging – 14:53–19:05
• Ukraine: Russian attacks – 21:54–24:11
• South Korea: Ex-president on trial – 24:11–26:13
• Netherlands: Tenants’ rights – 26:13–30:39
• AI for drug discovery – 30:54–34:26

Tone and Style

The episode maintains the BBC’s factual, impartial, and measured tone, with moments of empathy, especially in segments discussing personal loss and hardship. Direct testimonies from affected individuals and expert analysis provide both gravitas and immediacy to the unfolding news.

Summary

This episode of the Global News Podcast gives a gripping, on-the-ground view of unfolding crises—especially in Iran—while also providing global context through coverage of major political, social, and scientific stories. The reporting is bolstered by firsthand accounts, expert insight, and a clear focus on the human impact of global events.